AFC West
1.
San Diego
San Diego Chargers
Final regular-season record: 8-8, No. 4 seed in the AFC
Skinny: The Chargers get more aggressive under new defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and the offensive line starts wearing defenses down, generating a consistent running game. A sweep of the Chiefs and wins over Atlanta and Oakland set up a season finale against Denver in which the winner takes the division.
2.
Denver
Denver Broncos
Final regular-season record: 7-9, no postseason
Skinny: Five games on the road and lingering injuries in the backfield and on defense prevent Denver from putting together a significant run. Wins over Cleveland, Oakland and Kansas City give the Broncos a chance to capture the division against San Diego in the season finale, but going to Qualcomm Stadium proves to be too much.
3.
Oakland
Oakland Raiders
Final regular-season record: 4-12, no postseason
Skinny: The Raiders go through the second half of the season as underdogs in every game save for Kansas City’s visit on Nov. 30. In turn, the Chiefs are the last team Oakland defeats in 2008. All the while, Al Davis prepares to discard a few more dead weight players, like wideout Javon Walker.
4.
Kansas City
Kansas City Chiefs
Final regular-season record: 3-13, no postseason
Skinny: Tyler Thigpen’s development and the return of Larry Johnson don’t amount to much in the way of wins. A Nov. 23 upset of Buffalo is the last bright spot of the season. In December, Chiefs fans start researching quarterbacks for April’s draft.
Link
We really need to capitalize on the draft and end up with some true winners.
